Food, family and memories are as intertwined in the South as if woven on the same thread. At any function we attend, from a party to a wedding to a funeral, we are as likely to talk as much about the food that was there, as we are about why we are gathered. ~Mary Foreman

I'm your cook, not your doctor. ~PAULA DEEN

I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends. ~Ninny Threadgoode

Friday, July 31, 2009

An easy shortcut cheater etouffee that uses cream soup as a roux shortcut and works well for both shrimp and crawfish.

Cheater Shrimp Etouffée

Before you scoff at the ingredients in this shortcut method, I say give it a try. I feel certain you will be surprised. It's a technique I learned many years ago from Sissy, a friend of mine from Starkville, Mississippi. I was at her house one day when I watched her whip this up while we stood in the kitchen chatting, and well, I was both fascinated and skeptical when I saw the ingredients. One taste convinced me though, because this is just delicious. The cream of mushroom soup takes the place of what would normally be a roux and believe it or not, it really works! Many years later I learned local folks down here in the Deep South use this shortcut a lot. Who knew?

Give it a try sometime, I promise it is delicious, however, I do have the more traditional roux based etouffee to share with you as well, if you'd rather stick with a more authentic version. While a traditional etouffee doesn't really take that much time, even with making a roux - well, that is if you already have a homemade seafood stock made up - this shortcut will save you the step of not having to make that stock or a roux from scratch.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the onion, celery and bell pepper; cook until tender. Add the salt, black pepper, Cajun seasoning, parsley and garlic. Add the cream of mushroom soup and stir until well blended. Add the shrimp or undrained crawfish tails and green onion. Stir in enough chicken broth to bring mixture to the consistency desired; bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to a medium low simmer, cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of Kitchen Bouquet, Tiger Sauce, and squeeze in lemon juice, if desired, stir well and serve over hot, cooked rice.

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Oh my, that sure does look good. This is another one to add to my list-I actually have everything in the house to make this and I would tonight but I am making your chicken and dumpling bake again--we love it!! Thanks again. Sheila in NC

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